Urine testing is a simple and non-invasive way to check for signs of health problems. By analyzing the color, smell, and chemical composition of urine, doctors can screen for a variety of conditions, from infections to kidney problems to diabetes. In this article, we will discuss three common health issues that doctors can often diagnose just by examining a patient’s urine sample: urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and diabetes. Learning about these conditions and how they affect urine can help you understand why your doctor may request a urinalysis test.
Urinary Tract Infections
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection of any part of the urinary system, including the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. UTIs are usually caused by bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract, with Escherichia coli being the cause of 90% of UTIs. Women are more prone to UTIs than men due to their shorter urethras.
Some of the most common symptoms of a UTI include:
- A strong urge to urinate frequently
- A burning sensation during urination
- Cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine
- Pelvic pain or pressure
Doctors can often diagnose a UTI just by analyzing a patient’s urine sample. Some telltale signs of a UTI observed during urinalysis include:
- Cloudiness: Normal urine is transparent and pale yellow. Cloudy or milky urine indicates the presence of bacteria, white blood cells, or other abnormal substances.
- Strong odor: While urine does have a slight ammonia smell normally, foul-smelling or strong-smelling urine suggests infection.
- Blood: Blood in the urine, which can make urine pink, red, or brown, signifies inflammation in the urinary tract.
- Leukocyte esterase: This is an enzyme secreted by white blood cells fighting the infection. It will show up in a chemical analysis of the urine.
- Nitrites: Bacteria produce nitrites from nitrates in urine. So their presence indicates bacteria.
If urinalysis suggests a UTI, the doctor can confirm the diagnosis through a urine culture test, which involves incubating the sample in a lab to see if bacteria grows. With prompt diagnosis and antibiotic treatment, most UTIs can be cured within a few days.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when passing through the urinary tract. Some factors that increase the risk of kidney stones include family history, dehydration, obesity, high sodium diet, and medications.
Symptoms of kidney stones can include:
- Intense pain in the side and back below the ribs
- Pain that comes and goes in waves
- Pain during urination
- Cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine
- Nausea and vomiting
Doctors can check for kidney stones or rule them out by examining the color and contents of urine samples. Signs that point to possible kidney stones include:
- Blood: Blood in urine may indicate kidney stones have injured the urinary tract.
- Cloudiness: Gritty sediment in cloudy urine may contain crystals that could form into stones.
- Positive urinalysis: Presence of crystals and stone-forming minerals like calcium and uric acid.
If kidney stones are suspected based on urinalysis, doctors may order imaging tests like CT scans or ultrasounds to confirm the location and size of the stones. Treatment depends on the size and position of the stones, and may include pain medications, drinking lots of fluids, or surgical procedures.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Around 10% of the US population has diabetes. The two main types of diabetes are:
- Type 1 diabetes – The body fails to produce enough insulin due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells. This type often starts in childhood.
- Type 2 diabetes – The body becomes resistant to insulin’s effects. It accounts for 90-95% of diabetes cases and is linked to obesity.
Common symptoms and signs of diabetes include:
- Frequent urination and thirst
- Hunger and unexplained weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing cuts and wounds
- Tingling hands or feet
Doctors can screen for and monitor diabetes using simple urine tests that check for excess sugar. When blood sugar is too high, excess glucose spills over into the urine. Signs of diabetes observed during urinalysis include:
- Glucose: Presence of glucose in the urine indicates the kidneys are excreting out the excess sugar in the blood.
- Ketones: These chemicals are produced when the body burns fat instead of glucose for fuel. Ketones exiting the body via urine signify very high blood sugar levels.
- Protein: Leakage of protein in the urine can indicate kidney damage related to uncontrolled diabetes.
If urinalysis reveals consistently high glucose levels, doctors will order blood tests like the A1C test and fasting plasma glucose test to confirm diabetes diagnosis. Diabetes can be managed through medications, exercise, diet, and glucose monitoring
When to See a Doctor
While examining your own urine can reveal potential issues, only a doctor can diagnose and provide treatment for any underlying condition. See a doctor promptly if you observe any of the following:
- Blood in urine
- Changes in urine frequency or urgency
- Burning during urination
- Lower back pain
- Cloudy, foul-smelling, or abnormally colored urine
- Unexplained fevers or chills
Catching urinary disorders early maximizes positive outcomes. So don’t hesitate to consult a physician about any unusual urine symptoms or findings from self-analysis.
Tips for Collecting a Urine Sample
If your doctor requests a urine sample for analysis, make sure to follow these tips to get accurate test results:
- Use a clean, dry, sterile collection cup provided by your healthcare provider.
- Mid-stream urine is best, so pass a small amount first before collecting the sample.
- After passing initial urine, collect around 1-2 ounces mid-stream without stopping flow.
- Finish voiding after collecting the necessary sample amount.
- Tightly screw on the lid of the collection cup.
- Label collection cup with name, date, and time.
- Deliver sample to lab immediately. If delayed, refrigerate.
Proper urine sample collection avoids contamination and allows the most accurate urinalysis results.
Conclusion
Urine testing provides a simple, non-invasive way to screen for many different health issues. By examining the color, odor, and chemical composition of urine, doctors can look for signs of common conditions like UTIs, kidney stones, and diabetes. While urinalysis has diagnostic limitations, it can provide clues to underlying problems and determine if further testing is needed. Pay attention to any abnormal changes in your urine and consult a physician promptly to determine the cause and get proper treatment. Annual wellness visits including routine urine analysis help diagnose problems early before they become more serious.